India Trip Leader

Highlights

Local Outreach ProgramThis 21-day Trip Leader course is for Indians and those from neighboring countries.

The goal is to provide a wilderness-based, hands-on experience in the intricacies of leading others in the outdoors. The course is designed for outdoor professionals, aspiring outdoor leaders, educators and those with a keen interest in leadership. The course will use the Kumaon region of the Himalaya as the classroom with a focus on the NOLS core curriculum and teaching techniques.

In true NOLS tradition, this course will trek approximately 100 km over a period of 19 days. This is a self-contained expedition with very little external support. Instructors and participants carry their tents, rations and fuel and cook their own meals. There is a porter/mule supported re-supply of rations and fuel on two occasions. Students are divided into tent groups and each tent group cooks their own food.

Initially, classes will include basic camping (staying warm and dry), cooking, map reading and hiking/travel techniques. As participants get comfortable with this, the topics that will be addressed include, natural and human history of the area, Leave No Trace (minimum impact camping and traveling) techniques, judgment and decision-making, leadership and group dynamics etc. There will classes on wilderness first aid, outdoor teaching techniques and group discussions on environmental issues that are pertinent to the area you travel in.

Participants should be prepared for hard travel days, as backpacks will weigh at least 18-20 kilos. On hiking days, the route may involve between 5-8 hours of hiking. Non-hiking days are busy with classes, learning the finer aspects of baking, and catching up on rest. Being physically fit will dramatically enhance this experience of a lifetime!

On completion, each participant gets a written evaluation and a NOLS diploma.

Dates

October 19 - November 08, 2015

Skills Learned

Backpacking

There’s nothing quite like seeing the remote wilderness on your own two feet, carrying all your own gear on your back while gaining the tools necessary to become a great leader in the backcountry and at home.

Backpacking courses often hike three out of every four days. You’ll travel in small hiking groups so you have more opportunities to lead, make decisions, and map read as you move through beautiful wilderness. Hiking days begin early when you light your stove, cook and enjoy breakfast, and then organize and pack your pack.

You’re usually hiking by mid-morning. Lunch on the trail might be bread you baked the day before, or a trail mix of nuts and dried fruits. You may stop for a short class on natural history, or to learn how to cross a river, travel through boulders or snow, or move over a high pass. When you arrive at your new camp location, you'll first spend time choosing a Leave No Trace site and organizing camp, then you’ll prepare a well-deserved dinner. If the day was long, a short evening meeting may wrap up the day. If the hike was short, there may be a class or discussion.

Location

NOLS India

Dev Bhoomi, called "The Abode of the Gods," is a land steeped in culture, history, and mythology. It is the setting for some of NOLS’ most advanced cultural adventures. You will explore the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India–places of staggering beauty, high ranges, and ancient civilizations as you walk some of the oldest trade routes between India and Tibet alongside the birthplace of the sacred Ganga River.

Our base in the mountain town of Ranikhet in the state of Uttarakhand, a peaceful rural haven with spectacular views of the Himalayas is where you will acclimatize before heading for the high country.

All our courses have at least one Indian NOLS field instructor, who's extensive knowledge of the region and its human and natural history will be a highlight of your experience. Your introduction to the languages, myths, cultures, and wild beauty of this country will be complete.

You’ll hike through subtropical forests and high alpine meadows, attaining heights you never thought possible—both in elevation and in what you are able to achieve as a NOLS student.